Bethlehem, Fri 15.5.09, Morning
09.00 – 11.30 AM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: the Bethlehem checkpoint is almost deserted. From time–to-time someone comes-in or goes out. We wonder if there is a closure in force, but we haven’t heard anything on the radio – apparently the radio was turned-off.
A Palestinian asks to enter to Bethlehem in order to visit his mother. The soldier tells him that he can only return on Sunday morning. We try to find-out the reason for this and the soldier answers that that there is a closure until then.The Palestinian decides nevertheless to pass-over to Jerusalem. He will find a way to return home. We think that perhaps the problem is connected to the Pope’s visit . . .”the penny hasn’t yet dropped”. Only at he Humanitarian office we are given the information, that – to our shame – we have entirely forgotten : today is Nakba (Catastrophe) Day for the Arabs (their remembrance day for the catastrophe that befell them when the State of Israel was proclaimed- translator), and a closure has been proclaimed throughout the occupied territories.
Efrat goes to perform some errands in Gush-Etzion and Nabi Yunis.
Bethlehem (300)
See all reports for this place-
Located adjacent to the Separation Wall ("Jerusalem Wrap") at the north entrance to Bethlehem, this checkpoint cuts off Bethlehem and the entire West Bank from East Jerusalem, with all the serious implications for health services, trade, education, work and the fabric of life. The checkpoint is manned by the Border police and private security companies. It is an extensive infrastructure barrier and is designated as a border terminal, open 24 hours a day for foreign tourists. Israeli passport holders are not allowed to pass to Bethlehem, and Palestinian residents are not allowed to enter Jerusalem, except those with entry permits to Israel and East Jerusalem residents. Israeli buses are allowed to travel to Bethlehem only through this checkpoint.The checkpoint, which demonstrated harsh conditions of crowding and extreme passage delays for years, started employing advanced electronic identification posts and has upgraded its gates' system as of the middle of 2019 - and conditions improved.Adjacent to the checkpoint, in an enclosure between high walls and another passage, is the historic Rachel's Tomb, which is now embedded within a concrete fortified building. It contains prayer and study complexes for Jews only, as well as a residential complex. updated November 2019 .
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